Meet Melissa from Orange County
I am Melissa; I will be taking over the blog for Brooke. I have been reading over the previous blog for the past 3 days non-stop trying to see what I should and should not say.
To tell you a little about myself: I am 17 from Orange County, California. I arrived at AOS with 2 weeks notice that I would be leaving home, the place that I knew and the people that I loved. I topped the scale at 267 pounds. I was miserable, but I didn't let anyone know. I took my emotions out by eating. I didn't admit to myself that I was as big as I really was. I would squeeze in to a size 18/20 pant and wear a big sweatshirt over so there would be no evidence of the pants not fitting right.
Ever since I was a young child I have been on diets, eating plans, and rigorous exercise plans. Nothing seemed to work. In 2005, a few of my friends convinced me to join the water polo team so I could lose weight. I joined, and I told my self that I would watch what I was eating, and hopefully lose weight from the tough exercise that I was going to be involved in. I had AM practices 3 times a week for an hour before school started, and after school we would get in the bus and go to the pool and have a 2 hour intense swim practice.
After not being successful with weight loss in water polo I joined the swim team. But once again, I was not successful. I was doing all of the exercise, and I had cut out breakfast and snacks from my diet, but I would end up eating higher fat lunches and dinners. It was not a lifestyle change for me - it was strictly a diet that I was on.
When my mom told me that I was enrolled in Academy of the Sierras, I was confused. I had so many mixed emotions about going to boarding school, not having all of the freedom that I had previously had. I had 2 weeks to pack my things, say good-bye and finish school. The day after I got out of school I was enrolled for summer school here.
I didn't have much of a summer, but I am glad that I didn't. If I would have stayed home for the summer I know that I would have just gotten heavier. Coming to AOS saved my life. I had health problems, and bad feet and knees. Although my foot and knee problems have not gotten better, the health issues have decreased dramatically. I have been at AOS since June 26. In the 4 months that I have been at AOS I have lost 54.8 pounds, and learned a lot about myself.
I am currently an Ascender in the Summit system. I am one of the few people at AOS that take the time to move up slowly. I value the time it takes to move up. If I don't feel I am ready to move up when I am done with my application, I wait until I am ready, and I know I can handle the responsibilities of the next level. Most kids move up as fast as they can and end up jeopardizing the level they ultimately reach. I have been ready and able to move up to a Belayer for over a month. I finally feel ready to move up and take the next step in my program. I have been working really hard to get this program down and really understand what is expected of me for when I move up. I hold myself to the standards of a Belayer (the second-highest level in the Summit system), and I finally feel like I am ready to take the next step.
On Friday, I got my signature sheet from my BC. I need to have staff members and peers sign it. I will be reading my "past, present and future" to the entire community. I am nervous, but I have seen a few great people stand up and do it to get to the Belayer level. I know that in my anxiety I will get something that is going to make me stronger and more confident for when I eventually leave AOS for good.
To tell you a little about myself: I am 17 from Orange County, California. I arrived at AOS with 2 weeks notice that I would be leaving home, the place that I knew and the people that I loved. I topped the scale at 267 pounds. I was miserable, but I didn't let anyone know. I took my emotions out by eating. I didn't admit to myself that I was as big as I really was. I would squeeze in to a size 18/20 pant and wear a big sweatshirt over so there would be no evidence of the pants not fitting right.
Ever since I was a young child I have been on diets, eating plans, and rigorous exercise plans. Nothing seemed to work. In 2005, a few of my friends convinced me to join the water polo team so I could lose weight. I joined, and I told my self that I would watch what I was eating, and hopefully lose weight from the tough exercise that I was going to be involved in. I had AM practices 3 times a week for an hour before school started, and after school we would get in the bus and go to the pool and have a 2 hour intense swim practice.
After not being successful with weight loss in water polo I joined the swim team. But once again, I was not successful. I was doing all of the exercise, and I had cut out breakfast and snacks from my diet, but I would end up eating higher fat lunches and dinners. It was not a lifestyle change for me - it was strictly a diet that I was on.
When my mom told me that I was enrolled in Academy of the Sierras, I was confused. I had so many mixed emotions about going to boarding school, not having all of the freedom that I had previously had. I had 2 weeks to pack my things, say good-bye and finish school. The day after I got out of school I was enrolled for summer school here.
I didn't have much of a summer, but I am glad that I didn't. If I would have stayed home for the summer I know that I would have just gotten heavier. Coming to AOS saved my life. I had health problems, and bad feet and knees. Although my foot and knee problems have not gotten better, the health issues have decreased dramatically. I have been at AOS since June 26. In the 4 months that I have been at AOS I have lost 54.8 pounds, and learned a lot about myself.
I am currently an Ascender in the Summit system. I am one of the few people at AOS that take the time to move up slowly. I value the time it takes to move up. If I don't feel I am ready to move up when I am done with my application, I wait until I am ready, and I know I can handle the responsibilities of the next level. Most kids move up as fast as they can and end up jeopardizing the level they ultimately reach. I have been ready and able to move up to a Belayer for over a month. I finally feel ready to move up and take the next step in my program. I have been working really hard to get this program down and really understand what is expected of me for when I move up. I hold myself to the standards of a Belayer (the second-highest level in the Summit system), and I finally feel like I am ready to take the next step.
On Friday, I got my signature sheet from my BC. I need to have staff members and peers sign it. I will be reading my "past, present and future" to the entire community. I am nervous, but I have seen a few great people stand up and do it to get to the Belayer level. I know that in my anxiety I will get something that is going to make me stronger and more confident for when I eventually leave AOS for good.
posted by Wellspring Camps at 11:15 AM
1 Comments:
Honey, you're the best! I'm very, very proud of you and will enjoy reading your blog. xo Mom
Post a Comment
<< Home